The recently developed direct-quenched ultrahigh strength steels (UHSS) possess an appropriate combination of high tensile strength and toughness properties at subzero temperatures down to −80 °C, while simultaneously having low carbon contents, which is beneficial for weldability. In this study, butt joints of Optim 960 QC direct-quenched UHSS with a thickness of 8 mm were welded with a 10 kW fiber laser to evaluate the characteristics of the joints within the range of low to high heat inputs possible for this welding process. The mechanical properties of the joints were studied by subjecting the specimens to a number of destructive tests, namely, hardness and tensile testing, as well as impact toughness testing at temperatures of −40 °C and −60 °C. It was found that high quality butt joints with superior tensile strength and good impact toughness properties at −40 °C could be obtained. However, having a high level of all these properties in the joint narrows the process parameters’ window, and the heat input needs to be strictly controlled.
This research investigated the bearing capacity and geotechnical properties of a sandy soil substrate contaminated with oil derivatives, diesel fuel, and kerosene. For this purpose, a site with a clayey sandy soil substrate was considered to evaluate the effects of contamination on the geotechnical properties and bearing capacity of the substrate in both clean and contaminated states. Then, the substrate of the site was artificially contaminated with diesel fuel and kerosene and underwent field and laboratory tests. The experiments, including the Atterberg limits, standard proctor compaction, uniaxial compressive strength, strength, and freeze-thaw durability tests, were performed on prepared samples. Also, to determine the bearing capacity of the contaminated and intact substrates, a plate load test was conducted at the site. The results indicate that contamination by oil derivatives reduces the strength and increases the settlement and displacement of the contaminated substrate, where the effects of diesel fuel are more significant than those of kerosene. The results of this research are compared to previous studies. The literature shows that most research in this area was carried out in the laboratory, and there is a lack of in-situ studies. This study showed that the presence of oil contaminations caused a 3.5% reduction in the amount of soil Atterberg limits. The contaminations also reduced the dry density and uniaxial compressive strength of the soil by 2.5% and 20%, respectively. The results presented were consistent with the results of other researchers. However, some studies have suggested an increase in the Atterberg limits due to oil contaminants in the soil.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.